Rocking, Farming and Cruising

Edification row: The Regional Market provides the opportunity to beautify
your living space with posh botanicals and encourages a healthy diet with homegrown produce, all of which are products of area merchants, stimulating only the Syracuse economy. Michael Davis photos.

 “Because of demand and many people
saying that they couldn’t get away from work during the day, we decided
to open it up Tuesday nights so everyone in the community can enjoy
what it has to offer,” says Barbara Cappotto, office assistant
for the Regional Market. “It’s been a couple years in the making, but
after talking to many of the vendors discussing their schedule to see
what night they could make it out, we figured Tuesday would be the best
night to add to our schedule.”

Cappotto estimates that on Tuesdays and
Thursdays, there is usually about 100 merchants, give or take, that
sell everything from produce to flowers, antiques and commercial items.
“They’re all local,” continues Cappotto. “There are many from
Baldwinsville up through Fulton, and some even come from as far as
Wolcott and Williamstown.”

The new Tuesday time slot also augments another change incorporated this year at the Regional Market: The WSEN-FM (92.1) Cruise-In
has moved from Thursdays to Tuesdays. Cappotto insists even though both
events are on the same night, the hot-rodders and daisy pullers won’t
be stepping on each others’ toes. “Most of the vendors will be in
Shed-A, and will carry over to Shed-B if it gets busier,” she says.
“But there is plenty of parking in and around the building for the
cars, so I think it will be even better for everyone involved.”

Another new decision is the booking of
live entertainment every other week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On a
recent sunny Thursday, May 8, the local Beatles cover duo Frenay and
Lenin had market visitors twisting and shouting as they enjoyed their
afternoon. The lineup is not yet complete, but one band’s ready to rock four times this summer. The Coachmen, featuring The New Times’ award-winning photographer Michael Davis gettin’ funky on the Hammond B-3 organ, will play on May 20, June 24, July 8 and Aug. 26.

The Saturday and Sunday Regional Market
rendezvous are year-round, but the Tuesday and Thursday happenings run
from the first week of May until the end of October. Call 422-8647 for
more information.